Urban Resilience

Adapt to the challenges of climate change.

By integrating the economic and social benefits of resilience into projects, policies, and programs, we enable cities and their stakeholders to successfully deliver complex infrastructure projects, raise additional revenue, and change existing systems so cities can thrive as the climate changes.

EXPERTISE

Build local capacity to imagine, evaluate, and execute projects

An effective project begins with an effective approach—bringing the necessary voices to the table, asking the right questions, and understanding what methods and opportunities are available. As pioneers of resilience-based thinking, we provide a proven framework and best practices to transform the way you approach green infrastructure and climate adaptation.

Design strategies that maximize the impact of interventions

Every resiliency project provides an opportunity to benefit government, business, non-profit organizations, and the surrounding communities. HR&A quantifies the impact of possible interventions on diverse stakeholders, then designs a course of action to deliver as much value as possible.

Find feasible ways to implement your vision

HR&A recommends financial and development schemes that make sense for your project, creates compelling investment cases that speak to stakeholder interests and goals, and coordinates funding and governance to improve cost effectiveness and capture broad benefits.

SERVICES

Risk and Vulnerability Identification

Evaluate city and system vulnerabilities along with climate mitigation and adaptation needs to identify opportunities for implementation in strategic resilience and sustainability plans.

Capacity Building

Build organizational capacity through education and stakeholder engagement to prepare communities to act strategically on resilience and sustainability.

Project Financing Strategies

Green Infrastructure Planning

Analyze the hazards urban systems and infrastructure face from stormwater inundation and runoff; advise on physical, policy, and funding interventions to employ green infrastructure for risk mitigation and to generate community co-benefits.

Stormwater Management

Analyze the hazards urban systems and infrastructure face from stormwater inundation and runoff; advise on physical, policy, and funding interventions to employ green infrastructure for risk mitigation and to generate community co-benefits.

Policy Design & Evaluation

Develop or assess the effectiveness of changes to existing land use, building code and similar regulation of the built environment intend to support climate adaptation.

Relocation and Buyout Programs

Work with communities to develop and implement programs to help residents and businesses move from areas of higher risk to greater safety while supporting economic growth and cultural integrity.

PROJECTS

Climate Adaptation Strategy for Lower Manhattan

New York, NY

Like most coastal cities, New York is battling the considerable impacts of climate change. Lower Manhattan is particularly exposed to hazards like regular tidal flooding, coastal surge, heavier precipitation, and higher temperatures – threatening the neighborhood’s vitality. To reduce this exposure and adapt the district to a new climate reality, the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency and the New York City Economic Development Corporation engaged HR&A to create a long-term strategic plan for climate adaptation. Learn More →

Climate Ready Boston

Boston, MA

A dense, coastal city partially built on tidal fill, Boston is confronting significant climate challenges. As the City planned for future growth, it wanted deeper understanding of how the changing climate would affect its future. The City of Boston and the Green Ribbon Commission engaged HR&A and a team a climate scientists, engineers, planners, and designers to create a climate adaptation plan for the city and its regional systems. Learn More →

Capacity Building for the National Disaster Resilience Competition

Nationwide

To help develop competition responses that addressed key resilience principles for the $1 billion National Disaster Resilience Competition, the Rockefeller Foundation created a capacity-building initiative for cities, counties and states and engaged HR&A to manage the process.

Climate Resiliency in the Sandy-Impacted Region

New York, NY

HR&A provides ongoing support to city, state, federal, nonprofit, and private entities as they develop projects across the northeastern United States that both promote recovery from Hurricane Sandy and make people, property and infrastructure more resilient in light of increasing hazards and vulnerabilities in the future.